"He was one of those characters you loved being around within the squad because you knew it would be entertaining. If he did something on the pitch and he did it well, he'd be laughing as he was running.

"At a club like Leicester where training was always serious, full-on and tough, it was quite a nice change-up to have a bloke like that; that was so strong and powerful and could dominate anyone, but he was having real fun while doing it as well.

"It was wonderful to have him involved in those teams over the years."

Rabeni played for the Barbarians against Australia at Twickenham in 2011

The former Tigers loose forward said the talent of Rabeni was always evident, even after spending time on the sidelines through injury.

"He would struggle with knee injuries for a long period of time, and just when you think he's written off he'd come back and play a game and he'd be sitting people down and then putting away some of the most sublime passes.

"He had the most incredible ability to offload in the trickiest situation that always offered up opportunities for a back rower like me to latch onto.

"He created a lot of space for everyone else; that was the trademark of his game."

Moody believes the laid-back aura of the 39-cap international was down to his upbringing in Fiji.

"I think it's an inherent part and make-up of their culture and nature, that humility and enjoyment of sport. Not just in sport but in life.

"He always seemed to be happy and enjoying himself - apart from when he was injured!